HOME-MADE BKOOMS. 47 



being placed under the work-bench, and the other held 

 by a boy, who can give the required pressure. The next 

 operation is to wind on a strong twine for a space of I 1 1 2 

 or 2 inches. This is best done by rolling the pressing 

 cord close up next to the brush, wind 

 the twine on, and roll off the cord to- 

 wards the end, following it with the 

 Fi 14. twine. To make a neat knot at the 



end, double one end of the twine and 

 lay it along the outside of the stalks as shown in figure 

 14, letting the loose end lie out at the left. When the 

 twine is all on, slip the right end through the loop, and 

 draw the left end so as to bring the loop in under the 

 coil of twine ; then cut off the two ends close in to the 

 coil. 'No knot will now be visible, as the loop is out of 

 sight, and the ends are securely fastened. 



If a flat broom is to be made, which is usually the de- 

 sirable form, press the brush part between two narrow 

 boards fastened near together at one end with a piece of 

 strong leather nailed on very securely. 

 Figure 15 is a diagram showing the edges 

 of the boards, as if looked down upon. 

 The other end of the boards may be 

 held together with a string. Instead of 

 these boards, the brush may be put be- 

 tween two short boards, and screwed into 

 a vise. The sewing is the next step. For ' 

 this, a large needle of iron or steel will 



-T a i It 1 



be required, or one of strong hard wood 

 will answer (fig. 16), it should be six to eight inches in 

 length. At the point where you wish to fasten the brush 

 portion, say three or four inches below the winding cord, 

 wind a twine once, or better twice around, and tie it firmly, 

 leaving enough of one end to sew with. Now sew through 

 and through the brush, letting the twine at each stitch pass 

 around the portion you have tied on, as shown in figure 



Fig. 



